Design, delivery, and outcomes from an interprofessional fall prevention course

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Interprofessional Education

Background:

• Falls are a significant health concern for older adults, necessitating evidence-based management strategies.
• There is a need for interprofessional training to address geriatric care complexities, including fall prevention.
• Federal mandates encourage evidence-based training for healthcare professionals to improve geriatric patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and outcomes of an interprofessional evidence-based falls management course for students.
• To evaluate student learning and competency in falls management.
• To assess the impact of a student-delivered falls management program on older adults' health measures.

Main Methods:

• An elective 3-credit interprofessional course was developed by social work and nursing faculty in partnership with community organizations.
• Undergraduate and graduate students completed the course, including delivering the Matter of Balance (MOB) program to older adults.
• Student knowledge and older adult outcomes (falls efficacy, mobility) were assessed pre- and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in student falls knowledge post-course.
• Older adult participants showed statistically significant improvements in falls efficacy, control, management, and mobility.
• Many older adults screened positive for fall risk factors, indicating a need for such interventions.

Conclusions:

• The interprofessional falls management course effectively enhanced student knowledge and skills.
• Student-led delivery of the MOB program led to measurable improvements in older adults' fall-related outcomes.
• The course presents a viable model for interprofessional geriatric education and community-based fall prevention.